Oral motor difficulties include an array of challenges which affect the movements and sensations in and around the mouth, including the tongue and lips. These difficulties can significantly impact a child's ability to speak, eat, and engage in social interactions. 

In this comprehensive guide, we'll delve into typical examples of oral motor difficulties, how to spot them, and effective strategies to provide support. 

Spotting Oral Motor Difficulties

Here are some typical examples of oral motor difficulties:

• Articulation Challenges: Children may struggle to produce certain speech sounds correctly, leading to unclear speech. For example, difficulty pronouncing "r," "k," or "s" sounds may indicate an articulation challenge.
• Feeding Issues: Persistent difficulty with chewing, swallowing, or managing food in the mouth can signal feeding difficulties. This may manifest as gagging, choking, or refusal to eat certain textures of food.
• Oral Sensory Sensitivities: Hypersensitivity or hyposensitivity to sensory input in the mouth can affect a child's willingness to eat certain foods or engage in oral activities. For instance, aversion to certain textures or temperatures of food may indicate sensory sensitivities.
• Tongue and Lip Weakness: Weakness in the muscles of the tongue and lips may impact speech clarity and oral motor coordination. Children may struggle with tasks like licking, blowing, or making specific tongue movements.
• Saliva Management: The ability to maintain control of saliva is an indicator of adequate muscle control and coordination.  If your child drools and regularly wipes their wet chin, this may indicate structural difficulties within the mouth.
• Mouth Breathing: If your child tends to breathe with their mouth open or when sleeping they breathe loudly, this can also indicate structural concerns such as a high palate, enlarged tonsils or blocked sinuses.  

Strategies for Support

Here are some effective strategies to provide support:

• Speech Therapy: Consult a speech-language pathologist for targeted interventions to address articulation challenges and improve speech clarity.
• Feeding Therapy: Work with an occupational therapist or feeding specialist to address feeding difficulties through gradual exposure, sensory exploration, and oral motor exercises.
• Oral Motor Exercises: Incorporate fun and engaging activities to strengthen oral muscles and improve coordination. Examples include blowing bubbles, using straw cups, or playing with textured chew toys.
• Sensory Exploration: Introduce a variety of textures, tastes, and temperatures through sensory play activities to desensitise oral sensitivities and expand food acceptance.
• ENT Evaluation: Seek an evaluation from an Ear Nose and Throat Specialist if you have concerns.
• Consistent Support: Create a supportive environment where children feel encouraged to practise oral motor skills at their own pace, offering praise and reinforcement for their efforts.